Unitarian church group buys former Art Reach of Mid Michigan location

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A local religious group will soon have more room to gather and celebrate their faith.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan has bought a wing of a building at 319 S. University Ave. — a space previously owned by Art Reach of Mid Michigan.

Former group president Gisela Moffit said the fellowship has rented its current location for the past eight years and jumped at the opportunity to purchase the building as soon as they received notice. The UUFCM has a congregation of 64 members.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for us here to buy it,” she said. “We were already in the building and found out about it. It’s perfect for us.”

Guy Newland, also former president, said the old Art Reach building is suitable for UUFCM’s expansion because of the initial purpose of the building.

It was originally constructed as a private home in the 1870s before being converted into a Christian Science Center study church. It was located next door to the first Unitarian Universalist location in Mount Pleasant, which is the current location of the Veterans Memorial Library, 301 S. University Ave.

“This is the second time there has been a Unitarian Universalist church in Mount Pleasant,” Newland said.

UUFCM President Mary Alsager said construction has been ongoing since the acquisition of the new space.

However, the fellowship has been able to remain open throughout the expansion and renovations.

“Everything’s being done during the week and we’re able to hold our weekend services on Sunday,” Alsager said.

The construction was planned in phases. The first phase is scheduled for completion in October and the second phase should be complete in February. Alsager said there are four planned phases overall.

Moffit said the finished space will contain a fellowship hall, space for child education services and a new baby grand Steinway piano. UUFCM will even purchase leftover chairs from Art Reach for use in its services.

So far, renovations are following schedule.

Moffit said the roofing has been redone and small tasks such as carpeting, painting and minor repairs remain.

“I am ecstatic,” she said. “We’ve always wanted to have a home of our own. We thought it was in the distant future. This opportunity fell into our lap and we took a leap of faith and purchased it.”